Refuse receptacles

ABSTRACT

A refuse receptacle comprises a hollow body having a spine ( 1 ) upstanding from a base ( 2 ). Side panels ( 3 ) are connected through hinges ( 14 ) to the receptacle in which the sides of the panels remote from their respective hinges ( 4 ) are spaced apart from their respectable interior. A hoop ( 5 ) protrudes outwardly from the spine ( 1 ) for supporting a refuse bag or sack.

This invention relates to refuse receptacles and more especially to refuse receptacles from which refuse bags or sacks can be removed in a sideways direction.

In the majority of cases, filled refuse bags or sacks (referred to hereafter as “refuse bags” for the sake of simplicity) are removed upwardly through the top of a bin-shaped receptacle. Whereas this procedure may be generally satisfactory, there are occasions such as when, for example, the weight of the retained refuse is excessive or sharp or cumbersome articles are present in the refuse that difficulties in removing a bag do arise which can lead, for example, to spillage of refuse from the bag with unpleasant consequences. Furthermore, lifting of refuse bags from a conventional bin-shaped container can be difficult or impossible for the aged or infirm.

It is also the case that bin-shaped receptacles can be difficult to clean because the lower regions of the receptacle interior are often inaccessible.

Side opening refuse receptacles have previously been disclosed. FR-A-2543115 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,157,008, U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,080, U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,497, U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,872 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,859 are examples of such disclosures. In all of these documents, a single side panel or door is mounted for pivotable movement about a hinge carried by an adjoining support. The access provided to a receptacle interior by a single door or side panel has been found on occasions to be inadequate comfortably to remove a full refuse bag from the receptacle interior or to provide sufficient accessibility for thorough cleaning of the receptacle interior after the bag has been removed. Furthermore, none of the documents discloses a satisfactory support for a discardable refuse bag located within a refuse receptacle. The support must be capable of retaining a refuse bag securely in its open position while enabling it to be removed easily from the support when required.

One object of the present invention is to provide a refuse receptacle having two outer panels hingedly connected to a spine, the respective areas of the panels and spine being carefully selected to provide sufficient access to the receptacle interior for ready removal of a refuse bag and for cleaning the receptacle interior when the bag is removed.

Other refuse receptacles known to the applicant comprise two semi-circular panels which are secured together through pivots positioned towards the base of the receptacle to provide access to the receptacle interior. Such refuse receptacles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,591 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,321. Pivotal movement of the receptacle side panels has been found to be cumbersome and requires excessive space.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a refuse receptacle which is more readily transportable from one location to another and a refuse receptacle in which movement of refuse such as crumbs from a work surface into the receptacle interior is assisted.

In one aspect the invention provides a refuse receptacle comprising a hollow body having a spine upstanding from a base, two side panels connected one to each upstanding side edge of the spine through hinges and pivotable about these hinges between a closed position of the receptacle in which the side edges of the panels remote from their respective hinges abut and the panels cooperate with the spine to define the outer boundary of the hollow body and an open position in which the side edges of the panels remote from their respective hinges are spaced apart to provide side access to the receptacle interior, and a hoop protruding outwardly from the spine for supporting a refuse bag or sack, the width of the spine being between 50 and 1000% of the overall width of the receptacle when the receptacle is in its closed position.

The refuse receptacle may include a lid supported by the spine and mounted for pivotal movement relative thereto.

In one arrangement, each side panel is curvilinear (e.g. arcuate) about its longitudinal axis. In this arrangement, the spine is generally flat surfaced, that is to say the shape of the hollow body in plan view is generally circular along that part of its boundary defined by the side panels when closed and generally flat on that part of its boundary defined by the spine. The spine may include a curvilinear side wing which is shaped to blend with the curvilinear shaping of the panels.

Alternatively, the spine may be partially curvilinear about its longitudinal axis or curvilinear to a lesser extent than that of the side panels.

The base and lid are similarly shaped to the receptacle body in plan view and the lid may be secured to the upper rim of the spine by one or more hinges.

The hoop may be shaped to follow the contour of the hollow body when closed, the internal surfaces of the side panels preferably lying adjacent to or in contact with the neighbouring external surface of the hoop. Preferably, the dimensions of the side panels are the same.

Other shapes may, of course, be adopted for the spine, side panels, base and lid of the receptacle.

In a preferred arrangement, the inner surface of the receptacle lid is at least partially convex. Two or more ribs may protrude from the lid inner surface to define, with the concave inner surface, a chute for directing refuse into the receptacle interior.

The floor of the base may be shaped to define a well for collecting inter alia any liquid escaping from refuse retained within the receptacle.

The base and/or side panels and/or lid may be detachably connected to the spine for ease of packaging and transportation.

In the closed position of the receptacle, the side panels may be held in place magnetically through, for example, strips of magnetic material secured to the outer surface of the hoop and adjoining surfaces of the side panels. Mechanical or magnetic catches may alternatively or additionally be provided on the base and/or the hoop and/or the side panels for securement purposes.

The spine, base, hoop, lid and side panels may be produced from plastics. Other materials for one or more of these items may be employed. Thus, for example, the side panels may be produced from a metal, e.g. aluminium or stainless steel.

The height of the receptacle may approximate to or be marginally less than the standard height of kitchen work surfaces.

The lid may be resiliently mounted onto the spine to enable the overall height of the bin to be selectively reduced simply by pressing downwardly onto the lid to enable inter alia the receptacle to be positioned snugly below or in line with a work surface.

The base may include casters to enable the receptacle to be easily transported from one location to another. By so doing, the receptacle can be taken to items of refuse instead of refuse being taken to the site of the receptacle. These casters may be spring loaded.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a refuse receptacle in accordance with the invention with its lid in closed and open positions respectively;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views of the refuse receptacle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with its lids in closed and open positions respectively;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views from above of the refuse receptacle illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 with its lid in closed and open positions respectively;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are rear views of the illustrated refuse receptacle with the side panels of the receptacle removed and attached respectively;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a refuse receptacle in accordance with the invention with its side panels and lid in their open positions; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view from below of the illustrated refuse receptacle.

The refuse receptacle illustrated in the drawings comprises a rear spine 1 upstanding from a base 2. Two arcuate side panels 3 are connected to the sides of the spine 1 through hinges 4. The side panels 3 can pivot about the hinges 4 between the closed position of the receptacle shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 in which the panel edges remote from the hinges abut, and the open position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in which the panel edges are spaced one from the other to provide good access to the receptacle interior. The internal surface of the spine 1 may include generally vertical ribs 7 for enhanced strength.

As shown in the drawings, the width of the spine 1 (i.e. the distance W₁ between the hinges 4) approaches to the overall width W₂ of the receptacle (see FIG. 6). Typically the distance W₁ is between 50% and 100% of W₂. In a preferred arrangement, the distance W₁ is between 85% and 95% of W₂. The spine width is important firstly to ensure good access to the receptacle interior and secondly to provide adequate support for the hinged panels 3.

A hoop 5 is connected to the inner wall of the spine 1 through a bracket (not shown). The side of the hoop 5 closest to the spine 1 is spaced from the neighbouring surface of the spine to enable the open end of a refuse bag to overlie the hoop and be supported thereby. When closed, the upper internal surfaces of the side panels 3 lie adjacent to or abut the outer surface of the hoop 5.

As will be seen from the drawings, the spine 1 is generally rectangular with curvilinear side wings 6. Typically, the spine height approximates to twice that of its width. The hinges 4 are tubular and are supported by the side edges of the spine and the side panels 3. The tubular hinges secured to the spine and side panels are aligned and are interconnected by hinge pins which pass through and between the adjoining hinges.

A lid 11 is pivotably connected to the upper rim or upper region of the spine 1 through one or more hinges. The contour of the lid 11 replicates that of the receptacle in its closed position. Its front edge 11 a however extends a short distance beyond the front of the receptacle for ease of opening. The inner surface of the lid may be shaped to define a curved convex surface to assist the flow of refuse placed onto the lid surface into the receptacle. Two converging ribs 8 are upstanding from the inner surface of the lid. These are aligned to define the sides of a chute to assist the flow of refuse placed on the lid into the open top of the receptacle. The lid 11 may be sprung mounted on the spine to enable the overall height of the receptacle to be reduced simply by pressing down on the lid surface. Thus, one or more springs or pieces of resilient material may be positioned between the hinges and the lid and/or spine surfaces to which the hinges 10 are attached.

A hinged connection between the lid and the spine as shown is preferred. Alternatively, the lid may just sit on the upper rim of the receptacle and be removed in its entirety when placing refuse into the receptacle.

The spine 1 is preferably detachably connected to the base 2. To this end, the outer face of one wall 9 of the base 2 may be formed at its rear with an open bracket (not shown) into which the lower end of the spine 1 can locate and clip in place. A locking mechanism may be provided to secure the spine to the base.

In an alternative unillustrated embodiment, the spine is formed integrally with the base.

The base 2 has an upstanding annular lip 12 (see FIG. 9) recessed with respect to the external face of the base 2 against which the lower edges of the side panels 3 abut when in their closed positions. Typically, the depth of the recess equates at least approximately to the thickness of the panels 3 so that the external surfaces of the side panels are flush with the upper margin of the base wall when closed. The floor of the base is recessed to define a well 14 within which any fluid leaking from refuse contained within the receptacle can be retained and readily removed. Casters may be secured to the underside of the base through spindle receiving tubes 15 to enable the receptacle to be transported readily from one location to another. These may be resiliently connected to the underside of the base whereby the receptacle height can be reduced simply by pressing down on the lid 11 or a receptacle upper surface.

As will be seen from FIG. 9, the side panels 3 and base 2 are produced from a lamination of an inner sheet comprising vertical and horizontal ribs to provide enhanced strength and external cover sheets secured to the inner sheet. The inner and/or outer sheets may be produced from a plastics material or a thin gauge metallic material. Other material having the required strength and/or aesthetic qualities may, however, be adopted. The spine could be produced from a similar laminated structure.

The arcuate contour of the door panels and the generally flat shape of the spine gives to the receptacle a contour which is curvilinear at its front and generally flat at its rear, the front and rear merging with one another to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance. As mentioned previously, the spine extends over a major part of the overall width of the receptacle to provide good access to the receptacle interior when the panels are open, and sufficient strength to support the hoop 5, the lid 11 and the panels when open or closed,.

Magnetic strips or catches are secured to or form parts of the hoop 5 and/or the base lip 12 and the neighbouring inner surfaces of the side panels 3 to retain the side panels in place when closed. Other means of retaining the side panels may be adapted.

In use, the side panels 3 are opened to enable a refuse bag to be supported from the hoop 5 by placing the open end of the bag over the hoop. Items of refuse can then be placed in the bag directly or the convex shaping of the lid inner surface between the ribs 8. In the event of an accident, the refuse receptacle can simply be wheeled to the site of the accident for the disposal of any resulting refuse. In a preferred arrangement, the height of the receptacle when open approximates to or is marginally less than the standard height of kitchen work surfaces. This enables crumbs and other refuse to be swept onto the internal surface of the lid and then directed by the convex surface of the lid and the ribs into the bag interior. When full, the refuse bag is removed from the receptacle by opening the side panels, removing the rim of the bag from the hoop 5 and withdrawing the bag sideways.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of refuse receptacles in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the invention as disclosed herein as set out in the appended claims. 

1. A refuse receptacle comprising a hollow body having a spine upstanding from a base, two side panels connected one to each upstanding side edge of the spine through hinges and pivotable about these hinges between a closed position of the receptacle in which the side edges of the panels remote from their respective hinges abut and the panels cooperate with the spine to define the outer boundary of the hollow body and an open position in which the side edges of the panels remote from their respective hinges are spaced apart to provide side access to the receptacle interior, and a hoop protruding outwardly from the spine for supporting a refuse bag or sack, the width of the spine being between 50 and 100% of the overall width of the receptacle when the receptacle is in its closed position.
 2. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the width of the spine is between 85% and 95% of the overall width of the receptacle when the receptacle is in its closed position.
 3. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 including a lid supported by the spine and mounted for pivotal movement relative thereto.
 4. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein each side panel is curvilinear about its longitudinal axis.
 5. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 4 wherein the spine is generally flat surfaced.
 6. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 4 wherein the shape of the hollow body in plan view is generally circular along that part of its boundary defined by the side panels when closed and generally flat on that part of its boundary defined by the spine.
 7. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 4 wherein the spine is partially curvilinear about its longitudinal axis or curvilinear to a lesser extent than that of the side panels.
 8. A refuse receptacle, as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base and lid are similarly shaped to the receptacle body in plan view and the lid is secured to the upper rim of the spine by one or more hinges.
 9. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein a hoop is shaped to follow the contour of the hollow body when closed, the internal surfaces of the side panels lying adjacent to or in contact with the neighbouring external surface of the hoop.
 10. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inner surface of the receptacle lid is at least partially convex.
 11. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein two or more ribs protrude from the lid inner surface to define, with the convex inner surface, a chute for directing refuse into the receptacle interior.
 12. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the floor of the base is shaped to define a well.
 13. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base and/or side panels and/or lid are detachably connected to the spine for ease of packaging and transportation.
 14. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in the closed position of the receptacle, the side panels are held in place magnetically.
 15. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spine, base, hoop, lid and side panels are produced from plastics, aluminium or stainless steel.
 16. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the height of the receptacle approximates to or is marginally less than the standard height of kitchen work surfaces.
 17. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid is resiliently mounted onto the spine.
 18. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base includes casters to enable the receptacle to be easily transported from one location to another.
 19. A refuse receptacle as claimed in claim 18 wherein the casters are spring loaded. 